Grossner, a block mason, was on 10 years of probation after being convicted of shooting at two DeLand men who intervened in an argument between him and Messick in July 1984, court records said.

Court records also show Grossner was arrested July 27, 1984, when he got into an argument with Messick. Records showthat when Messick refused to go with him, Messick's son, Robert North, and friend, Richard Watkins, tried to escort Grossner from the apartment. Grossner pulled a .32-caliber revolver from his pocket and shot at them. North then struggled with Grossner and disarmed him, records show.

Grossner was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, one count of possession of a firearm while attempting to commit a felony and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. The last two counts were dropped by the state attorney's office. He was sentenced to 10 years' probation on the two aggravated assault charges.

Grossner also was convicted in July 1980 of battery on a law enforcement officer, according to court records.

Police and court records show that officers also were called last month about an argument between Grossner and Messick. According to Thursday's police report, DeLand police Officer George Caruthers received a call July 4 from Grossner threatening to kill Messick. Caruthers was unavailable for comment

day that Grossner drove his car from an unknown location in DeLand to the jail shortly after Messick died. DeLand police Sgt.

Steve Dovi said an autopsy had been performed on Messick but he refused to release the results, saying the case is under investi- gation.

Dovi also would not comment on a police report that saidGrossner confessed to sheriff's Sgt. Patricia Colegrove that he killed Messick.